Coffee percolator



B. J. srElNME-rz 2,295,433

COFFEE PERcoLAToR Filed April 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 gmc/who@ Zzwrm/Magd HM 7 ...w a m im, en m fm. .5. f. U ,u 2, m M im .m

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Patented'Sept. 8, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COFFEE PERCOLATORBenjamin J. Steinmetz, Cedarhurst, N. Y. Application April 21, 1941,Serial No. 389,643

(Cl. 21S-44) 17 Claims.

This invention relates to beverage brewing apparatus and moreparticularly to that type known as a percolator.

It is well known that attempts have heretofore been made to regulate thestrength of the brew by thermostatic or other means, but the drawback tothe prior devices is that in some cases the heating medium is cut olf ata predetermined time and unless the brew is used immediately it willcool and require a subsequent heating. It is, therefore, an object ofthis invention to provide a brew regulating means, which isautomatically operable after a predetermined brewing period to cut on"circulation of the liquid through the lbrew material in such a mannerthat the pot or recep` tacle containing the brew maybe left on orconnected with the heating medium for an indenite periodwithout-affecting the strength of the brew.

Another object of this invention is to provide a brew regulating meansfor a percolator which is so constructed that when a predetermined brewstrength has been obtained the brewing operation is automatically cutoi.

A further object of this inventionris to provide in a percolator aninitially buoyant controlling element which is slidable on the fluidconducting tube and which has the buoyancy thereof gradually reduced bythe fluid drippings from. the ground coffee container.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a percolator aninitially buoyant circulation controlling element, which issoconstructed that at a predetermined period in the percolating operationthe element will become non-buoyant,

at which time the element will effect a circulation of the liquid withinthe coffee pot without the liquid passing through the coffee' holder.

A further object of this invention is y,to provide in a percolator aninitially buoyant circulation controlling element which is adapted toreceive the drippings from the coffee or brew material holder and whichis so constructed that the time period for rendering the elementnon-buoyant may be controlled or 'adjusted in order to provide for thedesired strength or concentration of brew in the coiee pot.

A further object of this invention is to provide a brew strengthregulator which is affected in its operation by the circulation of thebrew and which after a predetermined brewing period will stopcirculation of the liquid to the brew material holder and eectcirculation of the brew within the brew container without changing thestrength of the brew.

A further object of this invention is to provide a brew strengthregulating means, which includes a generating dome, a uid conductingtube rising from the dome, a brew material holder carried by the tube,and a brew regulator movable on the tube between the dome and the holderforreceiving the drippings from the holder and for establishingcommunication between the dome and the brew container at a point belowthe holder after a predetermined brewing period.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, theinvention consists of the novel construction, combination andarrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to andillustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is `shown an embodimentof the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variationsand modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a. beverage brewing apparatus'of thetype known as apercolatol` having a brew controlling device mountedthereon which is constructed according to this invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line2-2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a sectional view takenlon the line 3-3 of Figure l,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure2, p

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a modied form of regulator cap,

Figure l6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken Von the line 6-6 ofFigure 5,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of another modication of thisinvention.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of -Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical section partly in side elevation of afurther modification ofl this invention,

Figure l0 is a sectional view taken on the line llll0 of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a vertical section partly in detail of a furthermodification of this invention,

Figure l2 is a bottom plan of the apparatus, and

Figure 13 isa fragmentary sectional view taken on the line |3 |3 ofFigure 11..

Referring to the drawings and first to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, thenumeral I5 designates generally a brew container in the form of atransparent coffee pot or the like, which is provided with a handle I6engaging about the neck I1 of the container I5. The upper portion of thecontainer I5 is provided with an outwardly flared seat I8 on which areceptacle generally designated as I9 is adapted to seat. The receptacleI9 is constructed in the form of a cylindrical body 2D having a taperedlower portion 2| engaging on the seat I8 and a cylindrical neck 22extends from the bottom tapered wall 2| and engages loosely within theneck I1 of the container I5. A cap structure 23 is removably mounted inthe receptacle I9 and includes a percolator cap 24, which is removablymounted in the cap structure 23.

A vertically disposed brew conducting tube 25 is disposed within thereceptacle I5 and extends upwardly into the receptacle I9 and terminatesadjacent the lower portion of the cap structure 24. The tube 25 has xedto the vlower end thereof a steam generating dome 26 provided withopenings 21 through which the liquid is adapted to pass. The dome 26is`secured tothe lower end of the tube 25 by means of an upper ilange 28and a lower flange 29. The lower flange 29 is formed by upsetting thelower end of the tube 25. The tube 25 ata point downwardlyfrom the upperend thereof has -flxed thereto an annular flange or rib 30 on which abrew material holder generally designated as 3| is adapted tofengage.

The brew-material holder 3| is formed with a cylindrical side wall 32and a flat bottom wall 33 formed with a plurality of detents 34 and per-4forations or openings 35. The side wall 32 is also provided witha-plurality of openings 36. A guide tube 31 is disposed centrally of theholder 3| and engages loosely about the tube 25. The guide member 31 issecured to the bottom wall A33 by means of -upper and lower ribs 38 .and39, which are formed on the lower end portion of the guide tube 31. Theholder 3| is also provided with a plurality of detents or legs 40, whichare adapted to engage the inclined bottom wall 2| of the'outerreceptacle I9 so as to maintain the outer marginal portions of thebottom wall 33 yin upwardly spaced relation to the bottom wall 2| inorder that the brew or liquid may freely flow downwardly over the bottomwall 2 I.

A brew controlling or regulating member ygenerally designated as 4| isslidably carried by the tube 25 between the dome 26 and the holder 3|.The regulating member 4I includes an upwardly opening cup-shaped member42, which is secured at its lower end portion to a tube 43 looselyengaging about the tube 25. The tube -43 is provided -with a pair offlanges 44 and 45 which tightly secure the receptacle 42 onto the loweri end of the tube 43. The tube 43 at its lowerend is provided with aninwardly extending flange or rib 46, which slidably engages vthe tube 25and the tube 43 is also provided at its upper end with an inwardlyextending ange or -rib 41. In this manner in the event any coffeegrounds or other granulated material should engage between the tube 43and the outer side of the tube 25, the granular material will bepositioned between the two flanges 46 and 41 and will not prevent thefree sliding movement of the tube 43 on the tube 25.

A substantially frusto-conical cap 48 provided with a cylindricaldepending flange 49 removably engages the upper end portion of the cupor buoyant body 42 and the cap 48 is provided with an upwardly extendingrib 50, which is substantially greater in diameter than the diameter ofthe tube 43, so as to provide an air vent 5I between the rib 59 and theouter side of the tube entire length of the tube 25.

43. The cap 48 is provided at a point between the rib 58 and the ange 49with an annular groove 52, which is formed by depressing the metalforming the cap 48, This groove 52 is adapted to receive the drippingswhich come from the perforated bottom wall 33 of the holder 3| and thecap 48 is also provided with a detent 53 within the groove 52, which isformed with an opening 54, so that the liquid or brew enteringthe groove52 may flow into the buoyant regulating body 42 in order to decreasethebuoyancy of the regulating body 42 until the buoyancy has been overcomeand the body 42 will then gravitatingly move downwardly along the tube25.

A substantially frusto-conical plate 55 is mountedon-the cap 48 and isprovided with a Aplurality of circumferentially spaced apart lugs orextensions 56, which terminate in clips 51. The clips 51 are adapted tobe extended through lthe slots 58 formed in the cap 48 above the groove'-52 sothat the plate 55 will be held in upwardly spaced relation to theupper side of the cap 48. This plate 55 constitutes a deflector fordeiiecting the liquids and also providesan air passage 59 'between theunder side of the baille or deflector `tube 25 VatA a rpoint upwardlyfromthe lower end thereof `is provided with a-pair of diametricallyopposedopenings 6D, whichf'when the body 42 is in the position shown inVFigure `2, are adapted to'break the circulation-ofthe brew through theWhen the body -42 isentirely buoyant this body will be in the positionshown in dottedlines in Figure 1 and at this time the openings 60lwillbecovered by the tube 43, so Vthat the brew may freely flowupwardly vthrough the tube '25 and into the holder 3|. Howeverfafter theregulating member 42 has lost its vbuoyancy and gravitatingly dropsdownwardly to the position shown in full lines in Figure 1, theopenings60 will be uncovered and the brew or`liquid will then flow out of theseopenings Y|50 .below the holder l3|. In -this manner the lcirculation ofthe brew through the entire length of the tube Y25 is `broken and thecontainer I5 may be left on the heating means for an indelinite periodwithout affecting the strength of the brew.

The .size of the openings 54'irin the cap 48 will determine the timeperiod within which the regulating member 42 will retain its buoyancyand it will ofcourse be understood that caps with different sizes ofopenings 54 may be used with the body 42 in order to provide the desiredstrength of brew.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is disclosed a cap structure48awhich is similar in substantially every detail to the cap structure 48being provided with a marginal'ange 49a and a groove 52a. The capstructure 48a is formed with a relatively large drain opening 54a withinthegroove 52a, and in order to provide a means whereby the liquidpassing through the opening 54a may be regulated in its flow to thereceptacle I have provided a valve member generally designated as 6|.The valve member 6I includes a plate 62 provided with a plurality ofdifferent sized Vopenings 63, which are adapted to be selectivelypositioned in registry with the opening 54a. An L-shaped arm 64 isformed integral with the valve plate 62 and is pivotally secured, as at65. to t-he cap 48a.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, there is disclosed a modified form ofcirculation breaking means for the brew. The brew conducting tube orpipe 25h is formed adjacent the lower end portion thereof with a pair ofdiametrically opposed openings 66, which are positioned closely adjacentthe dome 26h. A pair of semi-cylindrical valve plates 61 and B8 areadapted to engage about the tube '25h| and to initially cover theopenings 66 so that the brew may freely flow upwardly through the tube25h and the brew material holder. The two valve members 61 and 68 areprovided at one end thereof with a hinged barrel 69 through which apintle 10 engages. The pintle 10 is of substantially U-shape and has thelegs 1I thereof extended into the tube 25h, as shown in Figure '7.

The valve 61 is formed at the opposite end thereof with an outwardlyextending ear or keeper 12 and the valve member 68 is formed with anoutwardly extending ear 13. The ear 12 is formed with a convex loweredge 14, as shown in Figure 7. A valve locking and releasing trigger 15,which is formed with a right angularly disposed lower end '16 ispivotally carried by the ear 13 and in the initial position of theregulating body 42b the trigger 15 is adapted to be disposed in theposition shown in Figures '7 and 8, wherein the trigger 15 engages onthe inner side of the keeper or ear 12 and thus holds the two valvemembers 61 and 68 in port closing position. However, when the regulatingmember 42h has lost its buoyancy and moves downwardly on the tube 25hthe regulating member 42h will engage the outwardly curved trigger 15and swing this trigger outwardly to a released position with respect tothe keeper 14. At this time the pressure of the liquid within the tube25h will force the valve members 61 and 68 outwardly so as to therebypermit the liquid to circulate from the dome 2Gb through the lowerportion of the tube 25h and then through the openings 66 into the brewcontainer, and below the brew material holder.

ln Figures 9 and 10 there is disclosed a further modification of thisinvention wherein the brew conducting tube 25c is formed upwardly fromthe lower end thereof with a pair of diametrically opposed openings Bcwhich are in the initial buoyant condition of the regulating member 42eadapted to be covered by the guiding tube 43h, which is fixed to thecup-shaped regulating member 42e. The tube 43h is substantially largerin diameter than the tube 25e and is formed with a pair of ribs orflanges 44e and 45o, which engage the lower end portion of theregulating member 42o within an opening 11 which is formed in the bottomor lower end portion of the regulating member 42o.

A pair of substantially semi-circular valve members 18 and 19 areadapted in the initial' buoyant position of the regulating member 42C toengage within the tube 43b and cover the openings 60c. The valve member18 is formed with a pair of arms 8|] and the valve member 19 is formedwith a similar pair of arms 8l. The two pairs of arms 80 and 8| arepivotally secured to the tube 25o by pivot members 82. With theconstruction shown in Figures 9 and 10 after the regulating member 42Chas lost its buoyancy and has dropped downwardly to the position shownin Figure 1, the two semi-cylindrical valve members 18 and 19 will bepermitted to freely swing downwardly to an open position so that the twoports or openings 60o will be in communication is hinged as at 84 to thehandle I6.

with the brew container below the brew material holder, and thus breakthe circulation of the brew through the tube 25a to the brew materialholder.

In the use and operation of this percolator apparatus, the brew materialsuch as coiee grounds or the like are adapted to be placed in the holderSI and a desired quantity of water is placed in the brew container I5.The container I5 may then be placed on a heating element and when theproper amount of steam has been generated in the dome 26 the liquid willbe forced upwardly through the brew conducting tube 25. 'I'his liquidwill drop downwardly through the openings 35 and may also over-flowthrough the openings 35 and pass downwardly within the receptacle I9along the bottom wall 2| and into the container I5. The brew drippingthrough the openings 35 and some portion of the brew flowing through theneck 22 will strike the inclined cap 48 and engage in the groove 52.'I'he liquid in the groove 52 will drain through the opening 54 into theregulating member 42. yInitially there is no liquid within theregulating member 42 so that when the container I5 is substantiallyfilled with liquid the regulating member 42 will rise to substantiallythe dotted line position shown in Figure 1. At this time the circulationbreaking ports 60 will be covered so that normal circulation will beprovided through the entire length of the brew conducting tube 25.

As the brew flows into the regulating member 42 this member will loseits buoyancy and gradually drop downwardly until it is in the positionshown in full lines in Figure 1. At this time the ports will beuncovered so that circulation will be broken through the entire lengthof the tube 25. As circulation is broken through the entire length ofthe tube 25, the brew will no longer be discharged into the holder 3land the strength of the brew in the container I5 will remain in the samecondition it was in at the time the regulating member 42 moved to itslowermost position. The container I5 may be left on the heating meansfor an indefinite period of time after the regulating member 42 hasdropped downwardly to its circulation breaking position withoutaffecting the strength of the brew. If desired the percolating apparatusmay be removed from the container I5 in order to serve the brew and toassist in the pouring of the brew from the container I5, I have provideda hinged cap 83 which The cap 83 also is provided with a pouring spout85 so that when the cap 83 is in position on top of the mouth or iiangeI8 the brew may be freely poured out through the spout 85.

Referring now to the structure shown in Figures 11 to 13 inclusive, thenumeral 88 designates generally a coffee pot or brew container formedwith a side wall 81 and a bottom wall 88. A brew conducting tube 89 isdisposed centrally of the brew chamber 9E) and is provided at its upperend with a brew material holder similar to that shown rin Figure 1. Thelower end of the tube 89 has secured thereto a generating dome 9|, whichis substantially deeper than the dome 26 and is provided with loweropenings 92 through which the liquid is adapted to pass. A regulating orcontrolling member 93 is slidable on the tube 89 and is constructed inevery way similar to the regulating member designated 4I in Figure l.The regulating member 93 includes a removable cap 94 having a deflectorplate 95 on the upper portion thereoffor deflecting the Vliquid`d1ipping f1omthe material Vholderfwhile at the through the slot Il.

-same timeproviding an air space v96 Aabove the cap '94 for exhaustingof air from the regulator 93 as the liquid enters thisrregulator.

` An electric heater 'generally' designated as 9i is i' disposed belowthebottom wall88 and in the 'present instance is formed in an extensionof the 'side 'wall 8l.

It will, of course, be understood that theelectric Vheater structure 'Slmay be formed wasa separate unit from the brew container 80. A heatingcoil 98 is disposed in the heating chamber 99 positioned below thebottom wall 09 and isV adaptedt'o'be connected by means of conductors|00 and |'E| to a suitable source oi'electriccurrent supply. vA switchstructure generally designated fas |02 is disposed within theheatingQchamber 99 and'includes a station- 'ary contact |93a'nd 'amovable contact |04, which is'carried b'yarock arm |05. vThe rock arm|05 is pivotally carried by a pivotal :mounting |06 iixed to theunderside of the bottom wall 83 and one end of the rock arm |65 isprovided with a counterbalancing weight lill. The rock arm |05 isofsuchconstruction that the-movable Contact |0`4'will` beV normally maintainedinto engagement with the fixed contact |03. The fixed contact|3"is`insul'ated from the bottom wall 08 by an insulating member |08.The 'two contacts |93 and '|04 are interposed inthe present instance inthe conductor |00.

In order to provide a meanswhereby when the regulating member 93 is in asubmerged or lower position the movable contact |94 will be moved tocircuit breaking position, I have provided a permanent magnetl |09 whichis carried by an arm I0.

by a pair of ears ||2 Xed, as at ||-3, to the dome 9|. The dome 9| isprovided with an elongated slot ||4 in the side thereof and alongitudinally bent magnet operatingrod ||5 is Xed at one end to the arm||0 and projects outwardly The arm ||5 is bent re- 'Ihe magnet |09 andthe arm ||0 arel pivotally mounted on a pivot member carried verselyover the dome 9| and is provided at its fork I6 and effect a lowering ofthe magnet |09.

When the magnet |09 is in its lowermost position this magnet will drawthe metal member |01 upwardly and thus swing the arm or lever |05 to acircuit breaking position.

While I have shown the electric heating means` f 91 as embodying only asingle coil, it will be apparent that if desired there may be severalcoils in the heating chamber 99 and one or more additional contactsassociated with the lever |05 in order to provide a reduced heatingcapacity in the heating chamber 99 when the regulating member 93 is in alowermost position. In this manner the regulating member 93 willautomatically provide for a reduced heating of the brew in the container8S whereas in the structure shown in Figure 11 the rocking of the switchlever |05 will completely 'cut oli the electric current to the heatingelement 98.

What I claim is:

1. In a beverage brewing apparatus, a fluid conducting tube open at eachend and having a by-pass opening upwardly from the lower end thereof, adome member at the lower end of said tube, a perforate brew materialholder carried by the tube adjacent the upper end thereof, and

per 'portion thereof for admitting a predetermined quantity ofbrew'drippings from saidholdrer into said regulator whereby saidregulatorwill gravitatingly lower on saidtube andeffect outlet of theliquid in said tube through said openlrlg- A2. 'In a beverage brewingapparatus, a'fluid conducting tube, a steam generating dome 'at thelower end of said tube, a perforate brew material holder carried by theupper portion of said tube,'and initially buoyant means slidably carriedby said tube between 'said dome and said holder and rendered non-buoyantby the brew for breaking circulation of theli'quid to said holder aftera predetermined brewing period while permitting circulation of theliquid from said dome intothe brew receptacle.

3. In combination a brew container, a vertical brew circulating tube insaid container, a brew actuating dome at the lower end of saidcontainer, a brew material holder carried by the opposite end of saidtube, and an initially buoyant circulation regulator slidably carried bysaid tube and rendered non-buoyant from the drippings from said holderwhereby said regulator will thereafter gravitatingly move downwardly onsaid tube, said tube and said regulator having correlated means operableupon downward movement of the latter whereby the brewin said tube willbe .by-passed into said container below said v holder.

tainer, a brew material holder carried by the opposite end of saidtube,and an initially buoyant circulation regulator slidably carried bysaid tube and rendered non-buoyant from the drippings fromv s aid holderwhereby said regulator will thereafter gravitatingly move downwardly onsaid tube, said tube and said regulator having correlated means operableupon downward move- 'ment of the latter whereby the brew from said domewill be by-passed into said container below said holder and above saidregulator.

5. In combination a brew container, a vertical brew circulating tube insaid container, a brew actuating dome at the lower end of saidlAcontainer, Ya brew material holder carried by the opposite end of saidtube, and an initially buoyant circulation regulator slidably carried bysaid tube and rendered non-buoyant from the drippings from said holderwhereby said4 regulator will thereafter gravitatingly move downwardly onsaid tube, said tube and said regulator having correlated means operableupon downward movement of the latter whereby the brew from said domewill be by-passed into said container below said holder and below saidregulator.

6. As a new article of manufacture an automatically operable percolatormeans for insertion in a liquid container, comprising a brew materialholder, a liquid actuator below said holder, a conducting tubeVconnecting said holder and actuator, a cup-shaped drip receiver andcirculation regulator slidably carried by said tube, a cap for saidreceiver having an opening therethrough whereby a predetermined quantityof drippings will enter said receiver and thereby render the latternon-buoyant, said tube having an openingtherein Vso positioned that upondownward movement of said receiver said opening will a normally closedmagnetically opened* switch connected with said heater, and an initiallybuoyant brew catching means operable upon being rendered non-buoyantfrom the drippings of the brew for moving said switch to an openposition.

8. In combination, a brew container, a percolator means in saidcontainer, an electric heater for said container, a weight operatednormally closed switch connected with said heater, a switch operatingmagnet in said container, means pivotally mounting said magnet on saidpercol5 lator means for Vertical rocking whereby in an upper position ofsaid magnet the energy of said magnet will not affect the position ofsaid switch and in a lower position of said magnet the energy of saidmagnet will draw a portion of said switch thereto for breaking thecircuit to said heater, and an initially buoyant drip receiving membermovably carried by said percolator and upon downward movement thereof byloss of buoyancy to swing said magnet to a position whereby the energyof said magnet will move the switch to a circuit breaking position.

9. In a percolator, a brew material holder, a brew receiving andcontaining chamber, a transfer means for circulating the brew throughsaid holder from and back into said chamber, an initially buoyantcontainer-like means arranged in the circulatory path of the brew andinitially elevated by the latter for trapping a part thereof effectingcirculation of the uid from the chamber and through theY holder; aninitially buoyant and subsequently gravity lowering structure floatinglyengaging the liquid below saidl holderj for receiving a predeterminedamount of the fluid in the course of circulation, said transfer meanshaving a pair of opposed openings below the holder,a pair of,semi-cylindrical closure members for said openings pivotally carried bysaid transfer means and maintained in opening closing position duringthe initial buoyancy of said structure, said closure members beingreleased for free swinging to an open position upon lowering of saidstructure due to the loss of buoyancy of said structure to therebyprovide a restricted circulatory path for the fluid below the holder.

13. In a beverage brewing apparatus of the type including a iluidreceiving and containing chamber, a holder for the material throughwhich the fluid percolates, and a transfer means for effectingcirculation of the fluid from the chamber and through the holder; aninitially buoyant and subsequently gravity lowering structure oatinglyengaging the liquid below said holder for receiving a predeterminedamount of the fluid in the course of circulation, said transfer meanshaving a pair of openings adjacent the lower end thereof, a pair ofsemi-circular closure members,

means pivotally mounting said members on said transfer means, and tripmeans carried by said closure members disposed in the path of thedownward movement of said structure for reon its downward flow, aheater, and means operable by the weight of the entrapped liquid and theweight of said container-like means for rendering said heater ineiectivetoprovide the necessary percolating heat.

10. In a beverage brewing apparatus of thejiOl Y and through the holder;an initially buoyant and percolator type through which a iiuid isadapted to percolate, a vertically disposed transfer tube for directingthe fluid onto the material, said tube having an opening therein abovethe lower end thereof, an initially buoyant and subsequently gravitylowerable fluid receiving structure floatingly engaging within the fluidand disposed in the downward path of the fluid, for receiving Y,

a predetermined portion of the fluid and caused by the fluid receivedtherein to gradually lose buoyancy and assume a lowered position, saidstructure being vertically slidable on said tube M leasing said memberswhen said structure is in a lower position to thereby provide arestricted circulatory path for the fluid below the holder.

14. In a beverage brewing apparatus of the type including a fluidreceiving and containing chamber, a holder for the material throughwhich the fluid percolates, and a transfer means for effectingcirculation of the fluid from the chamber subsequently gravity loweringstructure for receiving a predetermined amount of the iiuid in thecourse of circulation, said transfer means having a pair of openingsadjacent the lower end thereof, a pair of semi-circular closure members,means pivotally mounting said members on said transfer means, a pair ofspaced ears carried by said members, and a trigger pivotally carried byone ear and engageable with the other ear for releasably locking saidmembers about said opening, downward movement of said structure causedby loss in buoyancy thereof effecting engagement `of said structure withsaid trigger to thereby tion uncovering said opening to thereby providea restricted circulating path for the brew.

11. In a beverage brewing apparatus of the type including a fluidreceiving and containing chamber, a holder for the material throughwhich the fiuid percolates, and a transfer means for effectingcirculation of the fluid from the chamber and through the holder; aninitially buoyant and subsequently gravity lowering structure floatinglyengaging the liquid below said holder for receiving a predeterminedamount of the iiuid for the fluid which includes only a portion of saidtransfer means.

12. In a beverage brewing apparatus of the type including a fluidreceiving and containing chamber, a holder for the material throughwhich swing said trigger to a released position.

15. In combination a brew container, a percolator means in saidcontainer including a perforate material holder, a generating dome, atubular brew transfer communicating said dome with said holder, anelectric heater, a regulating switch connected to said heater, dripreceiving means disposed inv the path of the drippings from said holderand movable downwardly by the weight of the drippings, and meansdisposed in the path of the downward movement of said drip receivingmeans correlated with said switch for moving said switch to circuitbreaking position.

16. A percolator comprising in combination a liquid receptacle, a brewgenerating means in the receptacle including a normal liquid passageproviding a normal circulatory brew generating path for the liquid andan intermediate outlet providing a non-generating path for the liquid,and an initially buoyant hollow regulator member movthe uid percolates,and a transfer means for ably carried by said generating means and inucr- Yuid through said non-generating, path;

17. In combination a brew container, a brewing means in said container,and an initially buoyant hollow regulator memberV rendered non-buoyantby the brew for automatically regulating the operation of the brewing inaccordance with-the quantity of brew generated in said container, saidmember being provided with means whereby to controlthe rate of drippingsreceived therein.

BENJAMIN J. STEINMETZ.

